Living without a gallbladder

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located below the liver, partially hidden by it. It is part of the gastrointestinal tract of all humans and quadrupedal animals. It is a hollow and small organ, and its main function is to collect and store bile that is used for digestion.

The gallbladder is connected to the small intestine (duodenum) of the bile duct (cystic duct and then into the common bile duct). It storages bile which could become what is known as gallstones, that can cause a number of conditions when they begin to grow or increase in quantity, conditions such as obstruction of bile duct, for example, which generates inflammation, infections and other ailments. Inflammation of the gallbladder is called cholecystitis.

The gallstones are generated mainly by a neglected diet, high consumption of junk food and harmful excess fat, too much salt and seasoning, and a sedentary lifestyle. The main component of most gallstones is cholesterol, although in some cases, the stones are made of calcium. You should know that bile contains large amounts of cholesterol that usually remains liquid. Hence the importance of eating a proper diet and low in bad cholesterol.

When gallstones obstruct either partially or temporarily a bile duct, then you have pain, which tends to increase and decrease in intensity depending on the severity of obstruction (renal colic). The pain usually increases gradually until reaching the apex and then falls gradually. This pain can be acute and intermittent, lasting several hours and in different parts of the abdomen, usually in the upper right. The most common is that the person has nausea and vomiting accompanied by pain; other symptoms include jaundice, chills and fever.

Prevent the occurrence of stones and prevent them from growing is possible by following a proper diet, habits and effective treatments. However, people do not always have information about health care for the gallbladder, and then they decide to remove them. Some people believe that since it is not a key organ of the body, it is somewhat an "easy" decision to remove it. However, before making a decision, it is necessary to do everything possible so that it regains its health.

If you have taken the decision to remove, or it had already been removed, then life in terms of eating habits should be modified. To understand how a to live without gallbladder, you should know the basic functions that it fulfilled.

It is said that it stores and concentrates bile secreted by the liver to be required for digestion. Every time you eat something, the segregation of bile (a greenish-brown liquid) is activated, especially when eating fats or meat. At this time, the gallbladder was in charge of releasing concentrated bile quickly so the meat and fat could digest in a prompt and effective way. The gallbladder bile stored caused that cholesterol, fat and vitamins from foods were more readily soluble and thus you could absorb it better. When food reaches the small intestine, a series of hormonal and nerve signals cause contraction of the gallbladder and the opening of a sphincter to allow the flow of bile.

Now, in the absence of gallbladder, fats and meats that are hard to digest and food cannot be emulsified with bile; the microspheres to facilitate their digestion, absorption and bowel movements don’t appear as well, which causes that food remains longer in the intestines and putrefaction takes place within the body. Thus, the body has to work harder to perform digestion and elimination of harmful fats and waste, which generates an early fermentation of food and thus producing what is known as toxemia or internal fever, excessive heat in the body due to increased bacteria and toxic substances accumulated in the body. The internal fever is the cause and the main reason of all diseases.

Without gall, the food will now have a much slower and heavy digestive process, in addition, the bile made by the liver cannot be stored in the gallbladder between meals, so it goes straight to the gut every time the liver secretes it so it is essential to eat with the following habits:

• You should make more meals a day and lighter, so that the liver, stomach and intestines have the time to digest and absorb food and eliminate waste. It is best to do 5 meals a day with varied food.
• You should include plenty of fruits, either in salads or juices, although the condition to eat is to avoid mixing the fruits with other foods, because the fruit sugar can ferment any food and alcohol is generated body, which is not advisable in these circumstances. Fruits should be eaten alone on an empty stomach, preferably fasting and between meals, and wait 20 minutes before eating anything else. This will keep the bowel very clean and purified because of the fiber and moisture of the fruit.
• Meals should be based primarily on a diet high in fiber and low in fat, especially animal fat (Check recommended foods and foods to avoid).
• You should drink enough pure water, at least 2 liters of water a day.

• Physical activity is necessary to make the intestine active and functioning well, it quickly eliminates the fecal waste and prevents that the food get congested and fermented in the body.
• You should try to live more calmly, stress and emotional pressure make the liver and stomach to work without efficiency. Constant irritation and anger makes that the liver secrete more bile than normal. Read about how to approach a smoother life and deep support to live calmly and without anxiety.

Considering all this, people who no longer have a gallbladder must comply with dietary plan as the following:

Even though the liver secretes bile and can emulsify fats yet, this is no longer as abundant as before, so it's best to avoid red meat, fried foods, processed foods, junk food, all sausages and cold meats, milk, cheese, yogurt, and all refined sugar products (sodas, cookies, canned goods, etc.) as well as white flour products (crackers, refined cereals, white bread, etc.). If you eat chicken or fish, try to prepare it grilled, always accompanied with a plate of fresh vegetables.

• Fresh vegetables: bean sprouts, green vegetables and semi-cooked vegetables without salt or butter. The juice of aloe and prickly pear are excellent sources of fiber.
• Legumes: (lentils, beans, etc..,) Without abusing since legumes can cause gas.
• Fruit juices are great, easy, quick and have full absorption of nutrients. The best fruits for you are: papaya, apples, grapes, oranges, melons, plums, peaches and pears.
• Whole grains with fluid intake is recommended, especially to prevent constipation and putrefaction of food.
• Avoid "light" products containing added sugar, which unbalance the body's natural metabolism.
• Replace cow's milk with vegetalbe milks such as soy, almond or rice, very nutritious and rich in calcium, without the harmful effect of cow's milk, which sticks to the intestinal lining causing a number of complications in digestion and elimination.
• Include olive oil in the diet which is rich in nutrients and keep your stomach functioning efficiently. Please make sure that it is extra-virgin or cold pressed.
• Brown rice is very nutritious and also keep the bowels functioning smoothly.